Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 Vaccine Approved For EMergency USe In India
Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) single-dose COVID-19 vaccine has been given Emergency Use approval in India, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced.
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Mr Mandaviya said this move will further boost the country's collective fight against the coronavirus infection
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“India expands its vaccine basket! Johnson and Johnson's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is given approval for Emergency Use in India. Now India has five EUA vaccines. This will further boost our nation's collective fight against #COVID19,” the minister tweeted.
Image: Unsplash | *EUA: Emergency Use Approval
Image: Unsplash | Text: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
J&J had applied for Emergency Use Authorisation for its jab on August 7 and was granted the approval the same day by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
J&J India said this was an important step forward in accelerating the availability of its COVID-19 vaccine to help end the pandemic.
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We are pleased to announce that on 7th August 2021, the government of India issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 single-dose vaccine in India, to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older: J&J India
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The J&J vaccine only requires one dose instead of two, as it uses viral vector technology. This vaccine contains the gene for the coronavirus' signature spike protein of an adenovirus, a common virus that causes colds or flu-like symptoms. However, the adenovirus has been modified so it can enter cells but can't replicate or cause illness.
Image: Unsplash | Text: Johnson & Johnson
Once the vaccine enters the body, the adenovirus delivers the instructions that teach cells to make the spike protein. That causes the immune system to react by making antibodies to attack the spike protein, so if exposed to COVID-19, then the immune system is ready to fight it.
Image: Unsplash | Text: Johnson & Johnson
The five vaccines granted Emergency Use Authorisation in India are Serum Institute's Covishield, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, Russia's Sputnik V, Moderna and now Johnson & Johnson (J&J).
Image: Unsplash | Text: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare